Knarr Russia launched

Earlier this year six Icelandic companies set up a marketing platform, Knarr Maritime, to provide options for new fishing vessels, combining decades of experience. This is the new venture's first step in exporting its expertise, with the establishment of a subsidiary company in co-operation with a Russian partner.

The new entity is a joint venture between Russian company Raduga Industrial and Commercial Group and Knarr Maritime Consortium.

Raduga Industrial and Commercial Group is a holding type group of companies that comprises a number of enterprises and entities working in the industry, production of telecommunication equipment, real estate management, trade and provides manufacturing services.

Knarr is a platform set up by Icelandic companies Skaginn 3X, Nautic, Kælismiðjan Frost, Brimrún, Naust Marine and Skipatækni ehf. All of the companies behind Knarr Russia are extensive experience in the design, development, construction and sales of equipment for fishing and fish processing.

Icelandic Minister of Fisheries Thorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir commented that it is an honour to be able to launch Knarr Russia. She added that the expertise and initiative of Iceland’s high-tech sector has placed Icelandic fishing companies at the leading edge of fisheries worldwide, and that she is convinced that co-operation between Iceland and Russia on the renewal of the Russian fishing fleet is bound to give a great result.

Knarr has been in existence for less than six months but the companies behind it have had a close relationship for many years. This includes co-operation on the design and construction of fish processing facilities both in Iceland and around the world. In addition, the have also played a pivotal role in the renovation of the Icelandic fishing fleet in the last years.

"The Icelandic Seafood industry and the supply industry behind it have long been leaders in their field in terms of technological development and we see that there is a great interest from the Russian fishing sector that see the benefit in using the knowledge and technology that has given the Icelandic fishing industry the leading position. It is remarkable why Icelandic high tech companies have not formed an alliance earlier, an alliance that can provide turn key solutions both in fishing vessels and in a land based operation," said Finnbogi Jónsson chairman of Knarr Maritime.
Boris Ivanov, chairman of Raduga Group, says that he has great expectations for the cooperation between Icelanders and Russians. He is well acquainted with the Icelandic economy after numerous visits to Iceland, having good contacts both business and personal with the Icelanders and serving as Honorary Consul for Iceland in St. Petersburg and North-West of Russia for several years. “After doing business with ship building companies here in Russia for many years I can confirm that there is a great interest in cooperating with the Icelanders,” Boris Ivanov said.

Knarr Maritime and Knarr Russia are able to offer turnkey packages for fishing vessels of a variety of sizes and types, according to the customer’s requirements.

"Our customers can be sure of having access in one place to the best of what Iceland has been able to achieve in fish processing ashore, or at sea on board catching vessels" said Knarr Maritime’s managing director Haraldur Árnason, who brings extensive experience of the Russian market with him from his previous role with premier fishing gear manufacturer and supplier Hampidjan.